Energy Bars

What makes a dried fruits and nuts bar an energy bar? I wonder.

You’re looking for a bar that’s low in fat, that is with less than 5 grams of fat per serving. For fiber content of bars, aim for 3 to 5 grams. Checking the calories listed on the label, a Luna Bar contains 170 to 180 calories. Meal-replacement bars tend to be larger than other bars, with proportionately higher levels of carbohydrates, fats, and protein.

Ellie Krieger’s energy bar has 20 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fat, 5 grams of protein and contains 133 calories per serving. To my surprise, protein comes, in part, from nonfat dry milk. These energy bars fit all the criteria for nutritional bars. I feel comfortable having them on hand to nibble (along with friends at IHCC gathering this week) and between meals for a quick pick-me-up or for breakfasts when I’m on the go.

Now I can custom design energy bars to suit my taste, nutritional requirements and what’s available in the pantry. That’s why I’m so excited about making these energy bars.

A friend of mine gave me some tips on slowing graying hair which she has very few to speak of. She is blessed; recently she celebrated the birth of her first grandchild. She attributes her glistening, healthy, non-graying hair to the daily intake of black sesame seeds. Although this is purely anecdotal, I’m willing to give it a try. I bought an ample supply of black sesame seeds. I would put them in energy bars substituting wheat germ that is called for in Ellie Krieger’s recipe.

My “youth nectar” is full of hair-raising black sesame seeds

I’ll call these energy bars my “youth nectar,” for now.